Match Report: Boro 1 Sunderland 0

Australian international Riley McGree settled the Tees-Wear clash at the Riverside by scoring the all-important goal to secure Chris Wilder’s side victory.

It was Boro’s second win of the season and maintained an excellent record against the Wearsiders at the Riverside.

It was a game which Boro dominated for long periods in front of a season-best crowd of 30,391.

Sunderland were forced into a late change when Ross Stewart suffered a thigh injury during the warm-up and he was replaced by one-time Boro man Patrick Roberts.

The Riverside was rocking at the kick-off and Rodrigo Muniz had an opportunity inside the opening two minutes when he headed a Ryan Giles cross over the top.

Boro started a great tempo and Muniz had a shot blocked after Isaiah Jones used his pace to get behind the Sunderland defence.

The visitors responded by creating a great chance of their own and Alex Pritchard had only Liam Roberts to beat but couldn’t find the target.

Jones was next to create another chance when he again fed Muniz, whose shot was wide of the mark.

Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson beat away a Jonny Howson free-kick at the near post and McGree couldn’t keep his follow-up shot down.

Moments later, the Australian was the man on target, though. It was a Giles cross again, and McGree nipped in-between two Sunderland defenders before lashing the ball home to fire Boro ahead before the half-hour.

The Aussie had an opportunity to double the advantage before half-time when, after playing a one-two with Matt Crooks, he was denied by Patterson in the Sunderland goal. The visiting keeper also turned a Paddy McNair cross over his own bar.

Boro were forced into making a change five minutes into the second period when McNair hobbled off to be replaced by Anfernee Dijksteel.

Matt Crooks came close to adding a second goal as Boro again made all the running and he also sent a shot fizzing across of the face of goal.

As the chances continued to come, Muniz was denied by Patterson after getting up well to meet a cross.

When Sunderland threatened, Dael Fry was well-placed to make a decisive challenge. On more than one occasion the defender denied Ellis Simms the chance to shoot on goal.

Midway through the half, Wilder made his second change of the game when he brought on former Sunderland man Duncan Watmore in place of McGree.

And Watmore almost made an immediate impact after a great ball from Alex Mowatt, but Patterson reacted quickly to make the save.

Liam Roberts was also called upon to be alert when Elliot Embleton curled a free-kick towards the near post.